New Workout? Try
Paintball!
There are a growing number of paintball
players in the America alone; the number has increased to more than
10 million according to a recent survey taken by the Sporting Goods
Manufacturers Association in 2005. The National Xball League was
developed in 2003 and many people became interested. The interest
spread to other countries when the NXL celebrity games were
televised.
Doctors began noticing the game too and started studying its effects
on a person’s health. Dr. Brian Jacobs, a sports medicine expert
from South Bend, Indiana commented in an interview that paintball is
a source of cardiovascular exercise and is really good for the
heart. He tried to play the game twice and observe how injuries were
acquired and the trauma it could cause to a paintball player. Codes
were developed to categorize the injuries caused by the paintball
game such as: E922.5 which is an accidental injury caused by a
paintball gun; E985.7, a paintball gun injury which was inflicted on
purpose or by accident; and E955.7, is a self-inflicted paintball
gun injury.
Regardless of the previous observations, the paintball game provides
aerobic benefits and creates a workout option for people who are not
always physically active. Some doctors advise patients to try the
basics of the game because of its health effects.
According to the American College of Sports Medicine rules, the
paintball game provides substantial benefits to the body. This
observation was based on a study that was conducted by Tara Kammel,
a fitness expert from Maplewood, Minnesota, who attached heart
monitors to fifteen paintball players. During the paintball game,
players reached the maximum level of adrenaline as the heart rate
surged up to 69 - 74 per cent and a CO2max level of 57 to 65 per
cent.
It might at times be dangerous to play paintball, but if the players
follow their physicians’ advice then everyone can enjoy the game.
Play the game where there are safety rules to follow and first aid
is available.
Do not play without protective gear for the eyes and neck. Wear
loose fitting clothes for flexibility. Get in shape with exercise
and eat a balanced diet when preparing to play the game.
If the game is played for sport, it is a sure way of keeping
physically active. It does not only contribute to the physical well
being but to a player’s emotional and intellectual abilities as
well. One recent finding by American researchers says that paintball
decreased violence since it is a way to release tension. Hey
workaholics! There’s a new sport in town.